Department for Education

Students: Loans

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many students who have overpaid their student loans since 2009–10 have yet to be refunded.

baroness berridge: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member. The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

baroness berridge: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member. The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Department of Health and Social Care

Dementia

lord hay of ballyore: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve dementia care research and support for carers of people with dementia across the UK.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government’s Dementia 2020 Challenge aims to make England the best country in the world for dementia care, support, awareness and research. The Government is committed to supporting research into dementia to find a disease-modifying treatment by 2025, and to help people with dementia live well with the condition. People participating in research are central to this effort, as are the health and social care staff who support their participation.We expect all people who are newly diagnosed with dementia, and their carers, to receive information on opportunities to take part in research into dementia. By 2020, we expect all relevant staff to have received appropriate dementia training. This should include training relevant staff to be able to signpost interested individuals towards research via the Join Dementia Research service. We are also currently exploring options for increasing take-up of the more advanced Tier 2 training to everyone who needs it.We are committed to supporting carers to provide care in ways that protect and preserve their own health and wellbeing. In June 2018, we published the Carers Action Plan, a cross-Government programme of targeted work, including a £5 million Carers Innovation Fund to encourage innovative and creative ways of supporting carers. In addition, we are working with local government on a sector-led improvement programme of work focused on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 duties for carers.The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics such as dementia. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health including dementia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of the NIHR’s funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.The NIHR funding for dementia research was £43.0 million in 2017/18, having increased from £27 million in 2013/14. Government spending overall on dementia research is running ahead of the Government’s 2020 Dementia Challenge commitment to maintain this at £300 million over five years. The total in 2017/18 was £82.5 million; £43 million via the NIHR, £36.3 million via the Medical Research Council and £3.2 million via the Economic and Social Research Council.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government’s Dementia 2020 Challenge aims to make England the best country in the world for dementia care, support, awareness and research. The Government is committed to supporting research into dementia to find a disease-modifying treatment by 2025, and to help people with dementia live well with the condition. People participating in research are central to this effort, as are the health and social care staff who support their participation.We expect all people who are newly diagnosed with dementia, and their carers, to receive information on opportunities to take part in research into dementia. By 2020, we expect all relevant staff to have received appropriate dementia training. This should include training relevant staff to be able to signpost interested individuals towards research via the Join Dementia Research service. We are also currently exploring options for increasing take-up of the more advanced Tier 2 training to everyone who needs it.We are committed to supporting carers to provide care in ways that protect and preserve their own health and wellbeing. In June 2018, we published the Carers Action Plan, a cross-Government programme of targeted work, including a £5 million Carers Innovation Fund to encourage innovative and creative ways of supporting carers. In addition, we are working with local government on a sector-led improvement programme of work focused on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 duties for carers.The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics such as dementia. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health including dementia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of the NIHR’s funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.The NIHR funding for dementia research was £43.0 million in 2017/18, having increased from £27 million in 2013/14. Government spending overall on dementia research is running ahead of the Government’s 2020 Dementia Challenge commitment to maintain this at £300 million over five years. The total in 2017/18 was £82.5 million; £43 million via the NIHR, £36.3 million via the Medical Research Council and £3.2 million via the Economic and Social Research Council.

Palliative Care: Finance

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the additional £25million announcedfor hospice and palliative services by the Prime Minister on 20 August will be (1) an annually recurring figure, and(2) in addition to current grants from, and contracts with, the NHS.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The £25 million announcement for hospices and National Health Service palliative care services relates to 2019/20 only and is in addition to current grants from, and contracts with, the NHS. NHS England’s expectation is that, as the NHS Long Term Plan progresses and more of the £33.9 billion additional investment becomes available to the front line, a separate funding stream of this nature should not be required. However, NHS England will keep this under review.Levels of NHS-funded hospice care provision are determined locally by clinical commissioning groups and they are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population. Commissioners should identify any gaps in local provision and put in place service development plans and any additional funding to address this identified need.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The £25 million announcement for hospices and National Health Service palliative care services relates to 2019/20 only and is in addition to current grants from, and contracts with, the NHS. NHS England’s expectation is that, as the NHS Long Term Plan progresses and more of the £33.9 billion additional investment becomes available to the front line, a separate funding stream of this nature should not be required. However, NHS England will keep this under review.Levels of NHS-funded hospice care provision are determined locally by clinical commissioning groups and they are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population. Commissioners should identify any gaps in local provision and put in place service development plans and any additional funding to address this identified need.

Palliative Care: Finance

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they intend to have with NHS England to ensure that any contracts between the NHS and the providers of hospice and palliative care services will be for a minimum three year period to provide certainty of funding.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The £25 million announcement for hospices and National Health Service palliative care services relates to 2019/20 only and is in addition to current grants from, and contracts with, the NHS. NHS England’s expectation is that, as the NHS Long Term Plan progresses and more of the £33.9 billion additional investment becomes available to the front line, a separate funding stream of this nature should not be required. However, NHS England will keep this under review.Levels of NHS-funded hospice care provision are determined locally by clinical commissioning groups and they are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population. Commissioners should identify any gaps in local provision and put in place service development plans and any additional funding to address this identified need.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The £25 million announcement for hospices and National Health Service palliative care services relates to 2019/20 only and is in addition to current grants from, and contracts with, the NHS. NHS England’s expectation is that, as the NHS Long Term Plan progresses and more of the £33.9 billion additional investment becomes available to the front line, a separate funding stream of this nature should not be required. However, NHS England will keep this under review.Levels of NHS-funded hospice care provision are determined locally by clinical commissioning groups and they are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population. Commissioners should identify any gaps in local provision and put in place service development plans and any additional funding to address this identified need.

Fertility: Medical Treatments

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have todirect the Clinical Commissioning Groups in South East London to withdraw their prohibition on single women receiving fertility treatment on the NHS as laid out in the South East London Treatment Access Policy Document 2019/20.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

Fertility: Medical Treatments

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement contained in page 34 of the South East London Treatment Access Policy Document 2019/20 that "because of the known disadvantage that providing assisted conception to a single woman would cause both the child and the mother, funding of assisted conception for single women is not available".

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member. The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member. The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

Fertility: Medical Treatments

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to instruct the Clinical Commissioning Groups in South East London to publish the evidence it relied onin developing its policy of not providing fertility treatment to single women.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater Manchester

lord bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 7 August (HL17449), in what format the data are available for average annual waiting times for each accident and emergency department in Greater Manchester in each of the last five years.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  Data is not available in the format of average waiting times at individual accident and emergency (A&E) units. Data is available at a National Health Service trust provider level as some NHS trusts have more than one A&E unit. The data for providers in Greater Manchester, 2013-14 to 2018-19 (provisional) is attached, due to the size of the data. 2018-19 data is provisional and subject to change. 



Greater Manchester A&E waiting times
(Word Document, 21.46 KB)

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  Data is not available in the format of average waiting times at individual accident and emergency (A&E) units. Data is available at a National Health Service trust provider level as some NHS trusts have more than one A&E unit. The data for providers in Greater Manchester, 2013-14 to 2018-19 (provisional) is attached, due to the size of the data. 2018-19 data is provisional and subject to change. 



Greater Manchester A&E waiting times
(Word Document, 21.46 KB)

Medical Treatments: Greater London

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they took to ensure that board members of the Clinical Commissioning Groups in South East London read the South East London Treatment Access Policy Document 2019/20 in full before agreeing to it.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs. The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions. NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019.  The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time. The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy. NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20. In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.

Food: Taxation

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a snack tax to help reduce obesity.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  The Department has no plans to introduce a snack tax.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.  The Department has no plans to introduce a snack tax.

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, followingthereport by the Social Metrics CommissionMeasuring Poverty 2019, published in July,and the appointment of the new Prime Minister on 24 July, what plans they have to revise their strategy for tackling poverty.

baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government is committed to delivering a sustainable, long-term solution to poverty through reforming the welfare system so that it works with the tax system and the Labour market to support employment and higher pay. Promoting full-time work through work incentives are a key feature of this approach, reinforced by the National Living Wage and the rising Personal Tax Allowance, which work together to promote independence from benefits.Universal Credit, which is now reaching over 2 million households, has already shown that it is more effective in getting people into work than the legacy benefits it replaces. Nine months into a UC claim, 40% of claimants are working for an employer in a paid role, compared with only 23% at the start of their claim.   The number of people in employment has increased by over 3.7 million since 2010. Three-quarters of the growth in employment has been in full-time work which substantially reduces the chances of being in poverty.The Government is working with the Social Metrics Commission, and other experts in the field, to develop new experimental statistics which will help us to find new and better ways to analyse poverty in this country. These will be published in 2020 and, in the long-run, could help us target support more effectively.

baroness stedman-scott: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government is committed to delivering a sustainable, long-term solution to poverty through reforming the welfare system so that it works with the tax system and the Labour market to support employment and higher pay. Promoting full-time work through work incentives are a key feature of this approach, reinforced by the National Living Wage and the rising Personal Tax Allowance, which work together to promote independence from benefits.Universal Credit, which is now reaching over 2 million households, has already shown that it is more effective in getting people into work than the legacy benefits it replaces. Nine months into a UC claim, 40% of claimants are working for an employer in a paid role, compared with only 23% at the start of their claim.   The number of people in employment has increased by over 3.7 million since 2010. Three-quarters of the growth in employment has been in full-time work which substantially reduces the chances of being in poverty.The Government is working with the Social Metrics Commission, and other experts in the field, to develop new experimental statistics which will help us to find new and better ways to analyse poverty in this country. These will be published in 2020 and, in the long-run, could help us target support more effectively.

Sanitation

baroness greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a statutory requirement for public buildings and offices to provide appropriate disposal bins for the disposal of stoma and other continence products and personal care products in (1)female, and (2) male toilets.

baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces. These Regulations require for suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences to be available at readily accessible places. The attached documents the Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L24) and Welfare at Work – Guidance for employers (INDG293), which are guidance to help dutyholders comply with the regulations, say:provision must be made for any worker with a disability to enable them to have access to facilities which are adjusted for their use as necessary; and that toilets used by women should be provided with suitable means for the disposal of sanitary dressings. There are no equivalent requirements for men. These regulations do not apply to non-workplaces; however, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s building regulations are applicable to public buildings and the advice is: Statutory guidance supporting Part M of the building regulations, includes a sanitary waste disposal bin in accessible toilets. All building other than dwellings in scope, including offices and all public buildings would require as a minimum one accessible toilet where a stoma bag can be safely disposed of. Building Regulations come with statutory guidance on the layout of wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets. These toilets offer private space for anyone needing to attend to a medical need and are not exclusively for use by ambulant disabled people. The guidance for accessible WCs includes a sanitary waste disposal bin with a lid and a wash hand basin. The layout and content of these spaces are controlled in all newly built offices and public buildings. The statutory guidance given in Approved Document M (Access to and use of buildings) also points to the British Standard BS8300-2:2018 “Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Buildings. Code of practice”. This independent best practice standard was updated in January 2018 with further information describing best practice in a range of toilets for people treating a medical condition. 



Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
(PDF Document, 534.45 KB)




Welfare at Work
(PDF Document, 76.32 KB)

baroness stedman-scott: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces. These Regulations require for suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences to be available at readily accessible places. The attached documents the Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L24) and Welfare at Work – Guidance for employers (INDG293), which are guidance to help dutyholders comply with the regulations, say:provision must be made for any worker with a disability to enable them to have access to facilities which are adjusted for their use as necessary; and that toilets used by women should be provided with suitable means for the disposal of sanitary dressings. There are no equivalent requirements for men. These regulations do not apply to non-workplaces; however, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s building regulations are applicable to public buildings and the advice is: Statutory guidance supporting Part M of the building regulations, includes a sanitary waste disposal bin in accessible toilets. All building other than dwellings in scope, including offices and all public buildings would require as a minimum one accessible toilet where a stoma bag can be safely disposed of. Building Regulations come with statutory guidance on the layout of wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets. These toilets offer private space for anyone needing to attend to a medical need and are not exclusively for use by ambulant disabled people. The guidance for accessible WCs includes a sanitary waste disposal bin with a lid and a wash hand basin. The layout and content of these spaces are controlled in all newly built offices and public buildings. The statutory guidance given in Approved Document M (Access to and use of buildings) also points to the British Standard BS8300-2:2018 “Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Buildings. Code of practice”. This independent best practice standard was updated in January 2018 with further information describing best practice in a range of toilets for people treating a medical condition. 



Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
(PDF Document, 534.45 KB)




Welfare at Work
(PDF Document, 76.32 KB)

Housing Benefit

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the casefor increasing the (1) scope, and (2) total amount, of housing benefit, including any resulting savings on temporary accommodation and other costs.

baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.No assessment has been made of the case for increasing the scope of housing support. Housing support in the private rented sector is based on the Local Housing Allowance and decisions on the uprating of Local Housing Allowance from April 2020 will form part of the discussions in support fiscal events later this year.

baroness stedman-scott: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.No assessment has been made of the case for increasing the scope of housing support. Housing support in the private rented sector is based on the Local Housing Allowance and decisions on the uprating of Local Housing Allowance from April 2020 will form part of the discussions in support fiscal events later this year.

Food Banks: Schools

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that there has been an increase in the number of food banks set up in UK schools.

baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.There is no official data or record of the number of foodbanks in the UK. However, the Government wants to develop a better understanding of household food needs to help ensure that support is targeted at those who need it most. This is why the Government has worked with food insecurity experts, the Office for National Statistics and the Scottish Government to introduce a new set of food security questions in the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019. This means that we will in future be able to able to monitor the prevalence and severity of household food insecurity across the UK and for specific groups, to better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at risk.To help families on low incomes we are supporting 1.3 million children with free school meals, investing up to £26 million in school breakfast clubs, providing approximately 2.3 million children aged 4-6 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables each day at school, and, through the Healthy Start Programme, hundreds of thousands of low income families benefit from vouchers which can be redeemed against fruit, vegetables, milk and infant formula.

baroness stedman-scott: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.There is no official data or record of the number of foodbanks in the UK. However, the Government wants to develop a better understanding of household food needs to help ensure that support is targeted at those who need it most. This is why the Government has worked with food insecurity experts, the Office for National Statistics and the Scottish Government to introduce a new set of food security questions in the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019. This means that we will in future be able to able to monitor the prevalence and severity of household food insecurity across the UK and for specific groups, to better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at risk.To help families on low incomes we are supporting 1.3 million children with free school meals, investing up to £26 million in school breakfast clubs, providing approximately 2.3 million children aged 4-6 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables each day at school, and, through the Healthy Start Programme, hundreds of thousands of low income families benefit from vouchers which can be redeemed against fruit, vegetables, milk and infant formula.